Author: Moira Shortle

Vestas, the leading wind turbine manufacturer globally, has chosen the Ford F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup truck to spearhead its ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, without relying on carbon offsets. This strategic move underscores Vestas’ commitment to sustainability and showcases the versatility of electric vehicles (EVs) in remote locations. The Denmark-based energy solutions company has successfully integrated more than 300 Ford F-150 Lightnings into its service fleet. To support the vehicles’ charging needs, Vestas has installed multiple Ford Pro Chargers across its network, ensuring the pickup truck batteries remain topped up and ready for action. One of the…

Faraday Future (FF) has announced that its flagship electric vehicle, the FF 91, has met the crash test requirements established by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS). The FF 91 underwent rigorous testing, including front, side, and rear crash scenarios, and has successfully cleared these tests, demonstrating its compliance with safety standards. One of the notable features of the FF 91 is its unique side impact crumple zone, referred to as the “moat body structure” and “moat pack structure.” This design aims to provide optimal protection for both occupants and the high voltage battery in the event of a…

In a significant step towards sustainable shipping solutions, PGT Trucking successfully transported its first-ever shipment of low greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity steel using Nikola’s Class 8 battery-electric vehicle. The steel was transported from Nucor’s new plant in Brandenburg, KY, to a nearby fabricator. To mark this milestone, the companies hosted a special event at Nucor Brandenburg, inviting team members, media representatives, and local officials to witness the cutting-edge equipment and commodities that are revolutionizing the steel and transportation industries. PGT Trucking President, Gregg Troian, expressed pride in collaborating with companies like Nikola and Nucor, emphasizing their shared vision and commitment…

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its latest innovation, the ‘Van Electric Architecture’ (VAN.EA), which will serve as the foundation for all forthcoming medium-sized and large vans starting from 2026. The automaker’s objective is to raise the proportion of fully electric vans to 50 percent by 2030. As an interim target for 2026, Mercedes-Benz aims for a 20 percent share of electric vans, building upon its existing portfolio of electric models. In 2022, out of the total 411,000 Mercedes vans delivered, only 14,700 were equipped with electric drives, accounting for a mere 3.6 percent share. However, the company anticipates a substantial leap forward…

Florida-based automaker E.C.D. Automotive Design Inc., known for their expertise in restoring and building custom classic Land Rovers, is expanding its horizons with a new addition to their lineup. The company has set its sights on the iconic E-Type, aiming to bring its unique touch to this legendary sports car. Since its establishment in 2013, E.C.D. Automotive Design Inc. has experienced remarkable growth. Starting out in a modest office building, the company now operates from a state-of-the-art 100,000-square-foot production facility with three assembly lines. With their commitment to in-house craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind vehicle customizations, the Florida automaker currently produces 100…

Everrati, a UK-based electric vehicle conversion specialist, has unveiled its latest creation: an all-electric version of the classic Porsche 911 ST. The company is now offering a new zero-emissions model inspired by the Porsche 911 ST, capturing the essence of the limited-run racing vehicle and delivering enhanced performance. Everrati Automotive Ltd. specializes in restoring classic cars from the combustion era, combining vintage styling with cutting-edge electric technology. The company designs, develops, and builds each unique electric vehicle conversion at its facility in England. While it has expressed plans to expand into the US to meet growing demand, all conversions are…

Munro Vehicles, Scotland’s exclusive volume production car company and manufacturer of all-electric 4x4s, recently unveiled its second model, the Mk_1 Pick-Up. This remarkable vehicle boasts an impressive range of over 190 miles and a rapid 15-80% battery recharge time of just 36 minutes, enabling it to conquer off-road terrains for up to 16 hours on a single charge. The introduction of the MK_1 Pick-Up presents an exciting opportunity for businesses in demanding sectors like mining, construction, utilities, agriculture, and defense to align with decarbonization goals. With its spacious rear bed capable of accommodating a substantial 1,050kg Euro Pallet payload and…

Nio, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has recently started deliveries of its new EC7 model in China, much earlier than originally planned. The EC7, an all-electric SUV coupe, comes with a 75 kWh or 100 kWh battery, priced between 488,000 and 578,000 yuan ($75,766) respectively, or lower if the battery is rented. The vehicle boasts a 480 kW drive power, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. See also: NIO Begins Deliveries of Its EC7 Electric Coupe SUV, Set to Compete with Polestar 3 in Premium Electric SUV Market Despite the initial success of the…

Citroen’s e-C4 and e-C4 X electric cars have received a significant upgrade with the introduction of a new 54kWh battery and a more powerful 115kW electric motor. This new configuration not only offers a boost in size and power but also comes with a longer operating range of up to 420km on the WLTP cycle. See also: Citroen launched new all-electric e-C4 X, range up to 223 miles The new drivetrain also offers an impressive 260nm of immediate torque, providing a thrilling driving experience. The improved battery technology boasts an 80% nickel, 10% manganese, and 10% cobalt ratio, resulting in…

Magna, the Canadian automotive supplier, has secured a major order from an unnamed “Europe-based Global Premium OEM” to supply its new electric drive system, eDS Mid, for use in sedan and SUV models scheduled for release in 2027. The eDS Mid is a compact electric motor that offers a scalable power range from 100 kW to 140 kW, optimised for 800-volt systems. It is also lightweight, weighing less than 72 kilograms, and enables a torque of up to 2,000 Nm. See also: Magna to Engineer and Manufacture All-Electric Off-Road 4×4 for INEOS Automotive in Austria While the customer’s sedans and…

California-based WattEV has announced its purchase of 14 Nikola Tre battery-electric trucks and the corresponding charging infrastructure to support them at the Long Beach port. As a “trucks as a service” provider, WattEV lends its zero-emission vehicles to shippers and fleet operators that adhere to California’s emission standards. See also: Nikola secures parts supply for production of Tre electric trucks this year The company is set to launch the first of its four planned truck charging parks this month. These parks will be strategically located near the 710 and 110 freeways leading to the port, where the Nikola trucks will…

Mercedes-Benz has postponed its interim target of having electric cars and plug-in hybrids account for half of its sales by 2025. The milestone has been delayed by at least one year, with Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius announcing that the middle of the decade now means 2026. The decision to delay the target is reportedly due to sales figures for plug-in hybrids, which accounted for just under 63% of Mercedes-Benz’s xEV sales in 2022. This figure is still higher than the number of Mercedes EQ battery-electric vehicles sold, as PHEV sales have dropped by 14% in the first quarter of 2023.…

Citroën’s ë-C4 and ë-C4 X electric models have received a significant upgrade, with a new drive system and larger battery now integrated into the vehicles. The previous models were equipped with a 100 kW power system and 50-kWh battery, but have been upgraded to a 115 kW power system and a 54-kWh battery. See also: Round Steering Wheel Retrofit for Tesla Model S and Model X Now Available for Purchase Initially, the new drive system will only be available for the Shine variant. Citroën reports that this upgrade will increase the vehicle’s range by 17%, from 360 to 420 kilometres…

BMW’s investment arm, BMW i Ventures, has recently announced its investment in Cyclic Materials, a Canadian company that specializes in recycling rare earth elements (REE). The company has established partnerships with internationally recognized companies, including Polestar, a Swedish car brand under Geely, to recycle magnets for electric motors. Together with Energy Impact Partners, BMW i Ventures has led the $27 million Series A funding, with the participation of Fifth Wall, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, and Planetary Technologies. Cyclic Materials plans to use the fresh capital to create a hub and spoke network for its commercial-scale operations. Cyclic Materials has developed pilot…

Cenntro, a provider of commercial vehicles, is set to showcase its latest innovation, the Logimax 650 (“LM650”), an all-electric Class 6 Truck, at WasteExpo 2023. The highly anticipated event will be held from May 1 to 4 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Designed for intracity and short-haul applications, the LM650 is a medium truck with a total weight of 12 tons. Its electric motors are powered by a 218-kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack, providing a range of 155 miles. Moreover, the truck can be DC fast-charged in just 1.5 hours, enhancing its operational efficiency. Peter…

Baidu once again reaffirmed its commitment to become a global leader in the realm of automated and intelligent driving by unveiling a range of upgrades for its technology. The company has already made public its plans to establish the largest fully driverless ride-hailing service worldwide in 2023, through its Apollo Go platform. Furthermore, at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, Baidu showcased a series of new products and outlined its vision for the future. At the core of all these developments lies Baidu’s belief that the automotive industry is on the cusp of a profound transformation. During the Shanghai exhibition,…

Cruise has expanded its fleet of self-driving robotaxis to operate 24/7 throughout San Francisco. CEO Kyle Vogt took to Twitter to confirm the news, expressing his excitement for this significant milestone after nearly a decade of anticipation. The rollout of the expanded service will be introduced gradually, starting with Cruise’s own staff members, known as “Cruisers,” who will have access to round-the-clock rides across the entire city. Additionally, selected “power users” who provide feedback to Cruise will be able to hail driverless Chevrolet Bolts during the day in the northwest section of San Francisco and throughout the entire city at…

Lotus is now making waves in the electric vehicle market with its groundbreaking model, the Lotus Eletre. Not only is this vehicle the brand’s first foray into all-electric production cars, but it also boasts an impressive array of advanced sensors that could potentially enable it to achieve Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. What sets the Lotus Eletre apart is its innovative utilization of multiple LiDARs. Two of these LiDAR sensors are cleverly integrated into the front fenders, automatically deploying whenever necessary. Furthermore, a third LiDAR sensor is positioned on the roof of the vehicle. In addition to LiDAR, Lotus has…

In a recent report by Reuters, NIO revealed its plan to enter the European market with a sub-30,000 euros ($33,060) priced model. Founder, chairman, and CEO William Li disclosed this information to German magazine Der Spiegel, emphasizing NIO’s intention to directly compete with Volkswagen. Li, without providing further details, stated, “Yes, in terms of price that means we are also attacking Volkswagen more strongly than before,” as quoted by Der Spiegel. This move aligns with NIO’s broader strategy of targeting the mass market by developing two sub-brands known as ALPS and Firefly. During a face-to-face communication with NIO owners, co-founder…

Toronto’s Transit Commission (TTC) is set to receive a major overhaul in the form of CAD 700 million (€465 million) investment for the procurement of 340 electric buses and infrastructure. The plan also involves upgrading eight bus depots before the e-buses enter service in 2025. The funding for this project is shared by the Canadian government and the City of Toronto. The federal Zero Emission Transit Fund is also contributing $349 million to the initiative. TTC’s aim is to have an emission-free fleet by 2040, and with the latest investment, it is set to pave the way for the electrification…